Fish Dropping Like Flies

[meloyelo]

In the past three days I've suddenly lost 6 fish, 2 platys and 4 zebra danios. I started a fish in cycle about 6 weeks ago with 3 platys and thought things had progress nicely from my test readings. I use the API freshwater liquid kit. About 2 weeks in I added 4 danios. Anyway, I think I got a little over excited and added more fish, 6 black skirt tetras, 3 more danios, and 1 cory. I realize now, big newbie mistake. I've been doing daily 50% water changes all along to try and keep the ammonia at bay. It has never gone above .25ppm though, which I know is still too high, and had to be brought down by water changes. I've actually done as much as a 90% water change several times. I add half cap full of Prime when I do the water change. I've not shown any Nitrite readings lately and Nitrate is 40ppm. Did I screw things up by overstocking the tank to quickly and either stalled the cycle process or stopped it all together? Also the tank is a 26 gal bowfront and filtration is by 1 penguin cartridge/biowheel and 1 aqueon cartridge filter.

Thanks for any advice

 

[garrym1983]

well, im 3 weeks into a fish in cycle. I think as you probably werent cycled, having still had readings for ammonia, then you probably did unfortunately jump the gun. I think its to do with overloading the bioload??!! basically meaning that there were to much fish added in a small space of time for the bacteria in your filter to cope with, hopefully someone with far more experience and knowledge will be able to point you in the right direction. If the worst happens and all the fish die then im sure youll come across the phrase "Fishless Cycle"!!

 

[eaglesaquarium]

The general fish-in recommendations is to wait to add fish until you get straight zeros ammonia and nitrite, AND you see some production of nitrate. This can take considerable time. Then when adding new fish, do it very slowly to allow the bacteria a chance to multiply and take on the new bioload. The stocking recommendation I use is to never increase your bioload by more than 50% of your current level.

You haven't stalled the cycle, but you have overloaded your bacteria's ability to keep up. Large water changes with temp matched, dechlorinated water is the only way to get through this without any more deaths. Continue daily testing, and doing large water changes until you get solid zeros. Stay patient for the remainder of the cycling process. Fishkeeping is a very good lesson in patience. In general, doing EVERYTHING slowly with the fish tank is the best option. That includes filling the tank with fresh water, adding new stock, rearranging decor, etc. Patience is the key.

 

[garrym1983]

The general fish-in recommendations is to wait to add fish until you get straight zeros ammonia and nitrite, AND you see some production of nitrate. This can take considerable time. Then when adding new fish, do it very slowly to allow the bacteria a chance to multiply and take on the new bioload. The stocking recommendation I use is to never increase your bioload by more than 50% of your current level.

You haven't stalled the cycle, but you have overloaded your bacteria's ability to keep up. Large water changes with temp matched, dechlorinated water is the only way to get through this without any more deaths. Continue daily testing, and doing large water changes until you get solid zeros. Stay patient for the remainder of the cycling process. Fishkeeping is a very good lesson in patience. In general, doing EVERYTHING slowly with the fish tank is the best option. That includes filling the tank with fresh water, adding new stock, rearranging decor, etc. Patience is the key.

hi eaglesaq, i dont know if ive asked this before but can the cycle process complete without seeing nitrite spikes?? i seeded my tank about a week ago, im testing around <0.05 amm 0 nitrites 10-20 nitrates. ive never seen a reading for nitrites???

 

[eaglesaquarium]

Hi garry,

When you say, "I seeded my tank" what exactly do you mean?

It is possible, but not that usual, but there are certain circumstances where it can happen.

 

[This Old Spouse]

Have you ever shown nitrite readings?

I'm a little confused. With your water parameters the fish shouldn't be dying in those quantities. The water isn't ideal but it isn't showing immediately lethal either.

What do you do with the filters when you do water changes?

 

[garrym1983]

Hi garry,

When you say, "I seeded my tank" what exactly do you mean?

It is possible, but not that usual, but there are certain circumstances where it can happen.

I took a filter from an established tank, cut some sponge off and put in my filter, i also have the borrowed filter in the tank.

Have you ever shown nitrite readings?

I'm a little confused. With your water parameters the fish shouldn't be dying in those quantities. The water isn't ideal but it isn't showing immediately lethal either.

What do you do with the filters when you do water changes?

oh no, the fish deaths are those of the person who started the discussion, ive just followed on by asking a question based on one of the other experts answers!

 

[This Old Spouse]

Garry, I was addressing the questions to the OP.

 

[garrym1983]

Garry, I was addressing the questions to the OP.

my apologies.

 

[eaglesaquarium]

I have a Penguin biowheel and cartridge. If he is following the manuacturer's suggestions, the biowheel remains untouched at all times and the cartridges are replaced roughly every month. Hopefully he isn't doing that, but that's what Marineland suggests you do.


I'm curious, meloyelo, how often you've been testing ammonia and nitrite? And what was the highest nitrite reading?


Garry,

Using that method it is possible to get no nitrite spike. 1ppm ammonia converts to 2.7 ppm nitrite, so your nitrite processing colony has to be larger. So, they have the ability to reproduce rapidly, if needed. Ammonia bacs seem to be a bit more fragile and susceptible to fluctuations. Generally with an established tank, you will see ammonia spikes much more than nitrite spikes.

 

[meloyelo]

Have you ever shown nitrite readings?

I'm a little confused. With your water parameters the fish shouldn't be dying in those quantities. The water isn't ideal but it isn't showing immediately lethal either.

What do you do with the filters when you do water changes?

Yes, about a month into my cycle attempt they started testing as high as .25. It was about a week after I added all those fish that they dropped off to zero and haven't shown up since. Ammonia has tested 0 for a couple of days here and there and then goes back up to .25. The most it has been at 0 is for 2 days though. As far as the filters go, I haven't washed them off since putting them in. I assumed it best to just leave them be for a good while.

Thanks

I have a Penguin biowheel and cartridge. If he is following the manuacturer's suggestions, the biowheel remains untouched at all times and the cartridges are replaced roughly every month. Hopefully he isn't doing that, but that's what Marineland suggests you do.


I'm curious, meloyelo, how often you've been testing ammonia and nitrite? And what was the highest nitrite reading?


Garry,

Using that method it is possible to get no nitrite spike. 1ppm ammonia converts to 2.7 ppm nitrite, so your nitrite processing colony has to be larger. So, they have the ability to reproduce rapidly, if needed. Ammonia bacs seem to be a bit more fragile and susceptible to fluctuations. Generally with an established tank, you will see ammonia spikes much more than nitrite spikes.

Test every day now. Didn't have a test kit for about the first 3 weeks. Just did water changes to be safe. Since getting test kit, highest nitrite has been .25

 

[eaglesaquarium]

Washed in tap water or old tank water?


Ammonia and nitrite can have a cumulative effect, so that is probably a contributor to the deaths. But an other possibility, is a secondary condition. Fish exposed to ammonia/nitrite can be susceptible to other illnesses.

 

[meloyelo]

Washed in tap water or old tank water?


Ammonia and nitrite can have a cumulative effect, so that is probably a contributor to the deaths. But an other possibility, is a secondary condition. Fish exposed to ammonia/nitrite can be susceptible to other illnesses.

Haven't rinsed off the filter media at all yet. When it does need it, I do know to use old tank water and not from the tap.
Thanks!

 

[meloyelo]

Just tested water again. Last test was at 8am this morning and the results were:

.25 Ammonia
0 Nitrites
40 Nitrates

Did a 50% water change this morning and readings are now:

0 Ammonia
0 Nitrite
40 Nitrate

 

[eaglesaquarium]